Family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville to sue police and British government

Murdered by the IRA - Jean McConville with some of her 10 children
Photo by: Google Images

The family of Jean McConville, the woman abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA more than 40 years ago will sue the Police Force of Northen Ireland (PSNI) and the British government.

According to the Irish Times relatives of McConville claim security forces failed to hold a 'prompt and efficient' investigation into her abduction.

News of the the civil action comes on the tenth anniversary of her remains finally being discovered on a beach in County Louth.

Suspected of being a British informant, the mother-of-ten was reportedly taken from her west Belfast home in December 1972. Investigators believe that she was tortured before being shot and buried.

Now legal proceedings have reportedly begun against both the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the British ministry of defence over events surrounding Conville's death and subsequent inquiries.

Lawyer Ciaran Mulholland said he has been instructed by members of the McConville family to pursue a claim over the 'horrific events.'

Mulholland claimed that McConville was found by a British Army patrol in the early hours of December 1, 1972 'roaming the streets in a state' after first being interrogated by the IRA.

She was reportedly taken to an RUC station at Queen Street in the city but seized again by the IRA later that day, according to Mulholland. Police were told of her abduction within hours but refused to assist, he alleges.

'The family still do not know the circumstances of this horrendous event. Why was their mother taken? Why would the RUC not intervene or investigate the matter?' Mulholland said.

'The McConville family firmly believe that the RUC and subsequently the PSNI have utterly failed to assist the family’s quest for the truth.

'The family now feel that given the lengthy passage of time and the obstruction they continue to meet seeking the truth into the disappearance and murder of their mother that they have no alternative other than to hold the Police and Ministry of Defence to account.

'Our clients feel that legal action is now essential in their journey for truth, and accordingly representations have been sent to both the Chief Constable and the ministry of defence.'